Junior Finance Minister denies pension increase is 'derisory'

The Junior Finance Minister Kevin Humphreys has denied that a €3 weekly increase to the state pension is 'derisory'.

Kevin Humphreys shas said the feedback he has received from pensioners is positive and he does not think there is much criticism of it.

He was commenting as the Social Welfare Bill was published, which will pave the way for the pension to be increased from January.

Minister Humphreys has said the increase should be widely welcomed.

“The feedback certainly that I have received and I have been out talking to people is being very positive,” Minister Humphreys said.

“In many ways it wasn’t expected in the Budget and pensioners do see it, exactly as the Tánaiste said, as a start –first step back into recovery and it has been acknowledged by the public on the street”.